Jesus Christ Loves Hitler

I was talking with some friends the other night about 'the fairness of God.' The question someone asked was 'You see it all throughout the Old Testament - someone making God angry, and He strikes them down. Then, you see people like terrorists, rapists, child molesters, and they walk around without justice brought to them. Why is that?' That's not a quote, but the general idea is the same.

Perry Noble said once about the same subject, "Don't even talk to God about 'fair.' 'Fair' is you being struck down and sent to hell for the FIRST sin you ever commit. 'Fair' is punishment for EVERY wrong thing you've EVER done. Don't even talk to God about fair." Okay. So... that wasn't exactly a quote, either, but run with me on this.

So, I was thinking a lot about this - 'Why is that?'

The answer was simple - 'Because he loves us, and has mercy.'

Ever really think about the word 'mercy?' It's defined in the dictionary as...

Mercy - a disposition to be kind and forgiving.

Kind and forgiving. To even the worst of the worst? Of course, the bible tells us...

For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws. ---James 2:10

So, sin is seen equally by God, but we're left with the question 'Why?' The answer came to me pretty subtly, but oh so powerfully. It's his love behind his mercy that makes it so incredible.

Take Adolf Hitler for example - one of the most hated, most abhorred, biggest villains of the history of the world. He was directly responsible for the murder of millions of people (God's chosen people, by biblical standards) and was directly responsible for the brainwashing of millions of well-meaning German people (many of the Christians). Why on earth wouldn't God have stricken him down right there?

Because of his mercy and love. Yes, even for someone like Adolf Hitler.

Think of it in this perspective. It's not that God didn't care the Hitler did all those horrible things - it's that God loved Hitler so much, he was willing to give him an entire lifetime to repent from his sin and truly follow Jesus. Did God approve of the things Hitler did - Does God approve of what the nasty people of the world do now? Of course not. But he loves us nonetheless.

God's mercy is not just saving sinners once we put our faith in him - it's giving sinners an entire lifetime as an opportunity to receive the gift of eternal life promised to us in Jesus Christ. Now THAT'S mercy! I know if I was all-powerful, I'd be too selfish to give some people (like Hitler) the chance to accept my offer of salvation - I know I'd be too selfish to send my own son to die for someone like Adolf Hitler. But, thankfully, our God is not selfish. He is loving, merciful, and sovereign.

So, remember that when you think 'That's not fair, God!' Because, really, when we say that, we're saying 'God, don't let your sacrifice cover some people.'

Thanks for reading!

-Matt